Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Port Reviews

The port area is very nice but it's a very long walk to the pool areas.

We went to ocean world with the all day pass excursion. It was such fun and we did the sea lion encounter. Unfortunately, the excursion took the entire time we were in Port so we did not see much else.

We did the All Inclusive Coconut Cove Beach Break excursion and it was great! The all inclusive drinks were a little miss leading (very small cups and very small selection) and the ride to the destination was an hour 20 mins in an open vehicle. So the ride was long and dusty but would definitely do it again!

This port was one of our least favorites, we did go on an excursion to Coconut Beach, it was a nightmare!! We do not recommend this excursion to anybody on the ship!! We were put in Safari trucks for an hour on the way to the beach and the way back from the beach that took you on side roads that looks like they had been Blowing up! Literally, you could not go more than 10 mph for about 10 feet and then you had to slow way down because you’re going through big craters that you could barely get through without jerking your whole entire body around. It was an awful experience! do not I repeat, do not go on this excursion it is horrible! And we were at a dead stand. Still trying to get back to the ship for about 45 minutes because the locals were blocking the entire road to get back out to the main road from the beach ! We literally did not feel safe! Find another excursion to go on if you want to go on an excursion at this port honest!

The Taino Bay Area has a new pool area and and Lazy River. Lots of choices for food and drinks as well. Very nice.

We enjoyed the lazy River at Taino Bay.

Highly recommend the hike to Damajugua Falls (with ATV buggy). This is a strenuous hike, so wear comfortable sneakers that you don't mind getting muddy. Absolutely worth it!

Loved the immediate area once you exited the ship. Did not need to travel anywhere to enjoy some time off of the ship and it was free. No excursions.

Since we have never been to the DR before, we decided to learn more about the port and take the History/Culture excursion that NCL recommended which started off at the Rum Factory for a tasting before heading to a jewelry maker's shop, hot chocolate cafe, historic village & a museum inspired by the amber utilized to create dinos in Jurassic Park. What made this port the most memorable was the company with our Group of Friends whom I got to celebrate my birthday with. Otherwise, I'd advise just hanging out in the newly developed port that the ship docks into so you can enjoy the complimentary pool with swim bars, lazy rivers to tube in, DJ provided music that stretches out on a secure, private, white sand beach overlooking your ship. That would be my choice for next time I have Puerto Plata as a stop because the country is still very third world and there was just too many neglected stray dogs (one was trapped on top of a roof) and poorly mistreated and malnourished horses having to pull tourist's buggies in sweltering heat. It's tough to witness that level of cruelty while feeling helpless to do anything about it. Whatever you do, do not support these buggy drivers as they are inhumane.

We stayed in port and it was nice.